At a time when the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) is in dire need of funding, Quebec City is calling on motorists to help replenish its coffers. They will pay an additional $60 when they next renew their registration, an amount that will bring their public transit contribution to $90.
The decision, first reported by BLVD 102.1 and then confirmed by The Dutymarks the end of a status quo that has lasted more than three decades. The levy on registration fees for public transport in the capital had remained at $30 since 1992.
Municipal ambitions in terms of public transport have since changed significantly. Today’s transport companies say they are struggling with structural deficits, which many believe are due to an outdated financing model.
In this context, the cities asked the government to increase its contribution to public transit. Instead, the government allowed them to increase the registration tax on their territory, in addition to committing to absorbing 70% of the deficits of the transit companies in 2024, an amount that represented $265 million of the $400 million requested by the cities.
More details to come.
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